Easton homicide victim identified; police seek public's help - UPDATE

Ervin Holton, 43, of Easton, was identified by authorities as the man shot to death Friday evening in the city.The Express-Times

Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek this morning identified the man shot to death Friday night in South Side Easton as a popular Easton disc jockey.

Ervin Holton, 43, of the 100 block of South Ninth Street in the city, died of multiple gunshot wounds, Lysek said. Lysek ruled the death a homicide.

Holton was found dead from gunshot wounds in the 100 block of West St.
Joseph Street in Easton shortly after police were dispatched for
reports of shots fired at about 5:41 p.m., according to authorities.

Police are seeking two attackers but had not made an arrest as of Saturday night. Easton police Lt. Matt Gerould said law enforcement is asking the public for help.

"We're hopeful because of the hour this happened and since it was
near a major highway (Interstate 78) ... that someone may have seen something," Gerould
said. "If someone saw anything -- no matter how small, no matter how
insignificant you think it is -- please give us a call."

Police believe the attackers drove south on Smith Street, parked a black or dark Honda Odyssey on the 200 block of Madison Street then walked south on St. John Street to St. Joseph Street, Gerould said.

He said police believe they shot Holton, returned to the car by the same route and drove away, possibly west on Madison Street. Both are described as thin black males who wore dark clothing, possibly black sweatshirts or jackets with hoods. One was described as tall.

Gerould is asking anyone with information, especially anyone who was near the perpetrators' route between 5:30 and 5:50 p.m. Friday, to call Easton detectives at 610-759-2200. He emphasized that tipsters can remain anonymous.

Easton police and deputy coroner speak to a woman at the scene of a homicide investigation in the 100 block of West St. Joseph Street on Easton South Side.Express-Times Photo | TIM WYNKOOP

Naheem Adams, 20, is accused of killing 28-year-old George Jeteron July 27 in an alley at 14th and Butler streets, close to Jeter's West Ward Easton home. Adams was arrested Oct. 31 at a Brooklyn apartment. Police said Jeter was shot after he dropped off drugs at a West Ward home.

Lawrence Anthony Gaines, 44, is accused of stabbing William "Poncho" Thompson to death before 6 a.m. July 3 in the 600 block of Walnut Street. Gaines was arrested that day. Gaines was arrested the next day. Police said the two fought over drugs before the stabbing.

Matthew Kelly, 20, of Bethlehem, was killed April 1 in a church parking lot in the 1100 block of Spruce Street. No arrest has been made in that case. Police said Kelly lured a man to the church to rob him under the guise of a drug deal, and that a gun fight broke out.

Former boxing champion Larry Holmes said he knew Holton for a few years since Holton started disc jockeying at Holmes' Ringside Restaurant in Easton. Holton always smiled and tried to make others laugh, Holmes recalled.

"As far as I know, he was a pretty good man," Holmes said. "I can't foresee (why he was killed). I thought about it all night long. I couldn't sleep."

Holmes said he, his nephew and Holton went to Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem together about two weeks ago.

"He wasn't shy. He was always trying to be funny," Holmes said. "I never had an argument with him and I never seen him argue with anyone. He just always had that smile on his face."

The violence baffled Holmes.

"You take someone's life, your life is gone too. It's no good," he said. "I just don't understand it."